Peoria offender program aims to save both lives and money

PEORIA — The Pretrial Alternatives to Detention program in Peoria's federal court claims it saves both lives and money trying to treat, rather than punish, low-level drug offenders.

Unlike state drug courts, the U.S. Attorney's Office holds the keys to the PADI program. It is up to the office who is allowed in and who can continue. It also can offer a "downward departure" from sentencing guidelines, even dismissal of charges if a person makes extraordinary progress.

One of the participants in the program is Daniel Raines, a 26-year-old Bushnell man who was caught up in the ongoing federal methamphetamine crackdown. In the five months he's been in the program, he's undergone treatment and sees a way out of the downward spiral he had been on.

"It's made me realize how I was acting and how I was treating my family," he said Thursday. "This is making me a better person."

Over the years, 109 people have participated in the program, with roughly three-fourths being women. Nearly all are white. Meth tends to be the drug of choice; a revelation that shouldn't be a shock, given the district's focus over the past 10 years on the drug.

Also, meth tends to rope larger numbers of people, including wives, girlfriends, sisters and even mothers, into a conspiracy. In federal court, those who buy cold pills, steal anhydrous ammonia and provide a home or trailer to cook the drug are often facing massive prison terms, even if they aren't one of the leaders of the ring or even profiting from it.

One of those was Leslie Pence, a 33-year-old woman from Galesburg who was a meth user. She was facing at least 10 years behind bars. PADI, she said, has given her a new lease on life. Yet, she said, that's meaningless, unless one acts.

"It's great to have a second chance, but you have to utilize it," she said.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John Gorman and others hold the program up as a success, pointing to the fact that of the 109 people who have participated, 87 have graduated. Only six of the program's participants haven't completed it. Sixteen still are in the pipeline.

Beyond the life changes, the improvements to people's lives and the basic human desire to help people, there is a huge cost savings. Had PADI not been in place and those 109 people been sentenced, 24 were looking at sentences of at least five years, with many facing an average of seven to eight years behind bars. The cost for that would have been $8.6 million. Instead, the government has spent $657,011 in that time frame for treatment and other options.

Andy Kravetz can be reached at 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @andykravetz.